Cadillac 452A V16 Maharaja of Orchha Pininfarina 1931

This is one of just 21 rolling chassis delivered to foreign coachbuilders, in this case, the newly founded Pininfarina in Italy. Some 750 Cadillac V16s were sold in 1931, but only one had coachwork from carrozzeria Pininfarina.

It was ordered by the Indian Maharaja of Orchha who needed a powerful machine to hunt tigers. For this purpose, a boat-tail style roadster body was fitted with a slightly elevated rumble seat to give the young Maharaja a 360-degree field of vision. Other striking elements are the cream and blue paint scheme and the absence of running boards. The one-off Pininfarina Cadillac was completed halfway through 1931 and shipped to Mumbai.

Amazingly the unique car survived its adventures in the jungle and today is one of the oldest surviving Pinin Farina designs. After remaining in the Maharaja's family for well over three decades, the V16 Cadillac was finally sold in the 1960s and sent to America, it was Black/Red. Later painted all black. It is currently owned by an enthusiastic collector in the United States who has had it completely restored to its original condition. Shown at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Pinin Farina / Pininfarina celebrated its 75th anniversary.